As of last week, I now have a blog (short for “web log”).  My son and one of our interns set it up for me at www.danielhenderson.org. There is already a post on my blog with a cool video link.  They took something I recently wrote and posted it for me.  I’ve yet to personally post anything – but will likely give it a try soon enough.

Of course, I am already pretty overwhelmed with e-mail, a LinkedIn account, two Facebook accounts, and two Twitter accounts.  I am not sure where I will find the time to write blog posts – or even why I should do it.  But, I will probably get drawn in at some point.

Some non-technical readers may not even know what I am talking about.  “Blogs”, “LinkedIn”, “Twitter”, “Facebook”, “MySpace,” and “SocialVibe” all sound like a foreign language to many.  Other readers, probably younger, are busy using all of the above social networks – plus some.

So the other day, I asked my son some obvious questions.  I queried, “Do you think all these Christian leaders (who post blog entries several times a day, send and receive Twitter messages numerous times hourly, and check Facebook daily) spend more or less time with God as a result of all the social networking?” I also postulated, “Do you think they spend more or less time in substantive ministry to the real needs of people?”  Of course, the ultimate answers must be resolved one life and one day at a time.

Unless all these other believers are taking major portions of time away from eating, sleeping, or showering – I suspect their “devotional” habits and face-to-face ministry encounters have slipped.  Assuming this, how are we to think of it all?   

The Potential Value of Social Networking

Connecting – Some would argue that time spent using all these technical tools is actual ministry.  I suppose, in some sense, the “connecting” aspect encompasses real ministry.  People who have become disconnected over the years can easily reconnect using these tools.  This can be encouraging and even result in new ministry partnerships.  When people are in touch with people in any form, good things can happen.

Communicating – Certainly communicating ideas, scriptural truth, and even ministry opportunities is a positive thing.  Many ministries (such as Strategic Renewal) use these ministry networks to share devotional thoughts, ministry updates, and words of spiritual encouragement.

Prayer – Certainly these tools allow people to share prayer requests, answers to prayer, and assurances that one is praying for others.  As long as we still take time to actually pray, it is good to communicate around the themes of prayer.

The Danger of Social Networking

Multiplied Distraction – I’ve said many times over the years that the Devil does not have to destroy us, just distract us.  His tools are becoming more diverse and sophisticated.  Usually, his tactic is to use a good thing that becomes an obsession and keeps us from the best things.

Pseudo-community – I suppose we are redefining community these days.  It used to involve sitting in the same room with another person, looking into the eyes of a troubled soul, offering biblical encouragement, or praying together.  Today the definition envelops instant messaging, a perfunctory “tweet,” or a Facebook friendship.  Clearly, dilutions of biblical definitions of community are being unleashed on us all in unprecedented fashion.

Neglected Stewardship – We are stewards of our time, energy, money, and opportunities.  I am just not sure all of these high-tech toys are really the best use of our time.  Leaders spend hours writing redundant blogs that hardly anyone reads.  Why?  Maybe this self-expression is therapeutic.  Maybe it would be better spent in a Bible study or prayer time with real people in the same room.

Considering all of this, I guess we all need to be careful in the deepest sense of the word – a day at a time.  All things in moderation. 

These new gadgets and expressions are simply tools – they can be helpful or dangerous, depending on the motivation and volume of their use.  I often say, “There is nothing wrong with the tools – but there is a difference between simply using the tools, and actually depending on the tools.”  The acid test of which choice we are making is the prayer level of our lives – since prayer is the expression of our dependence on God, not the tools. 

In these critical days when we need to be desperate, seeking God and moving toward a much-needed revival – any distraction will do.  Regardless of the low or high-tech nature of the tools, we all need to guard our affections and attention – now more than ever.